Friday, October 16, 2009

Amabile [ah MAH bee lay] means "loveable" or "sweet" in Italian. Music can lovable to everyone.

"Music is a universal language of Mankind."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Amabile Chamber Trio, with Michael J. McGillivray (violin and viola), Sonia Lee (violin) and Catherine Sherwin (flute) took us on a wonderful ride through four centuries of music, including selections for flute and violin by Morley and Telemann, the Duo for Violin and Viola in G Major by Mozart, Six Duets for Two Violins by Bartok and finally Beethoven's Serenade in D Major for Flute, Violin and Viola, Op. 25.

The evening was enjoyed by all who attended, as we kicked off the fourth season of Chamber Music at The Playhouse.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

To cap off yet another great season of Chamber Music at The Playhouse, we heard some fabulous New Orleans jazz from trumpeter Marcus Belgrave and saxophonist/flutist Charlie Gabriel, with some smooth vocals by Joan Belgrave.

They were joined on stage by

Marion Hayden on bass,

Gayelynn McKinney on drums,

Tad Weed on piano and

Chris Smith on trombone.

Announcing the release of their new CD Excitable, we heard several selections from that recording as well as their other two CDs, some being original compositions by Joan Belgrave.

We helped Marcus celebrate his 73rd birthday when members Joann Castle and Yolanda Turner presented him with a cake.

The Playhouse hasn't heard that much great music in a long, long time!!!!!

Fine Arts finished its 103rd season with a production of this Jeff Daniel's comedy. The mile-a-minute entrance-exits and madcap surrealism failed to obscure this comedy's deeply serious undertone.George Noonan, played by member Charly Davis, was tossed to and fro in his deliberations about having a vasectomy.

He turns a routine visit to his urologist, played by member Anne Maters, into a psychotherapy session about life, the insignificance of the modern-day man and the vast difference between stewards and stewardesses.

His wife Rita, played by guest Amy Secor, doesn't want to chance adding another daughter to a family that already includes five girls.

And his deceased father Earl, played by guest Bruce Maters, still holds great sway over George.

Twenty nine other characters enter into George's decision-making process, all played by Bill McCarthy, Rob Green, Greg Ridella and Mark Wiacek. While some helped, most just added to the confusion his life was becoming. All were hilariously funny.

And although we never saw her on stage, Pat Vintevoghel provided an authentic stewardess' voice.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Valentine's Day brought FASD audiences together to see five vignettes dealing with various relationships in our daily lives.

Sure Thingwith George Abud and Alyssa Clark, depended on quick dialogue and a mysterious bell. Before the play moved from a beginning to an end, there were several false starts and false endings as the characters explored various responses to each other, even becoming different personalities in the process.

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The Conversationwith Rob Green and Joseph Ewald, and written by FASD member Terry Davis, invloved a discussion between George a ventriloquist and his alter-ego Milton (his dummy), who was able to vocalize things George was unable to say himself.

A Little Something for the Duckswith Kim CZasnojc and Steve Shrader, was the tale of a lonely afternoon at the pond where two elderly strangers met. Samuel, who had been feeding the ducks for seven years (or is it six?), was a thorn in the side of Irma, who pointed out the sign that said "Don't Feed the Ducks".

The Gamewith Lisa Lechniak and Matt Becker, poked fun at a couple in the midst of a 'conversation' regarding the impending visit of the husband's mother, while he tried to watch his football game. This is also a creation from member Terry Davis' pen.

Accused of Comedywith James Abud, Charly Davis, Izzy Donnelly and Laurie Jamieson, was filled with hilarious one-liners when two comedians and their one-person audience were arrested at a time when comedy was outlawed. But even the stern magistrate couldn't resist the temptation to turn the corners of her mouth in the upward direction and join in the fun..

And, of course, nothing would have gone on stage without our trusty behind-the scenes personnel.

The evening also included an afterglow of jazz, provided by students from the Grosse Pointe South High School Curtis Gough, Andrew Hintzen and Brett Beddow.

The artist for the evening was Charles Ezra Ferrell, who exhibited his photographs and pencil of African Classical Music (so-called jazz) artists, including Marcus Belgrave, who will be on the FASD stage for a concert in June.

This Chamber Music at The Playhouse concert provided a great lead-in to the holiday season.Scott Thornburg and Derek Lockhart on trumpets, Eric Reed on French horn, John Rutherford on trombone, and Jacob Cameron on tuba filled The Founders Room with wonderful holiday music, including

Saturday, February 07, 2009

FASD's 103rd season opened when Director Susan Davis, with Producers Donna Ridella, Geri Day and Norma Eschenburg, collected a cast of 36 to entertain our members and guests through this well-known Christmas story, brought to the public first via the movie screen. This joint production with The Theatre Arts Club of Detroit packed The Playhouse for three performances in November.

Kris Kringle (Rick Mason) with children at Macy's

When the validity of Santa Claus is put to the test we are told that faith is believing when common sense tells you not to.

Miss Adams (Izzy Donnelly) and Mr. Shelhammer (Geno Pirrami)

It was hard to tell who had more fun with this production; the children (of all ages) on stage or the audience.

And Jonathan Davis' set with the toy stand that sprang from the floor wowed everyone.

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The play opens at Macy's Thanksgiving parade, with children and parents alike stretching to see Santa and the other holiday characters.

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Everything is wonderful after an intoxicated Santa is replaced by Kris Kringle, who finds ways for each child to get the gift he or she has been dreaming about.

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Elf (Claire Platt)

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Kris becomes a celebrity, with newspapers trumpeting his (and Macy's) generosity and good will.

Newsboy (Ethan Rymiszewski)

.But when that means sending parents to other stores, his troubles begin, since it is impossible to please everyone all the time. Kris is found to be mentally ill for his insistance on being the real Santa Claus. It takes thousands of letters to prove that Santa does indeed live on in the hearts and minds of children far and wide.